Method for adjusting settings in a water recirculating device, a water recirculating device and a data processing hub for handling data

ABSTRACT

A method for adjusting settings in a water recirculating device is provided. The water recirculating device comprises an outlet configured to output treated water, a water collecting arrangement configured to collect used water, a water treatment arrangement configured to receive used water from the water collecting arrangement and output the treated water, wherein said water treatment arrangement is further configured to hold a replaceable water treatment device, an external water input device configured to input external water to said recirculating device, a circulation pump configured to provide a flow in said water recycling device, and a data processing device configured to control said water recycling device. The method comprises retrieving information associated to said replaceable water treatment device, determining identification data for said replaceable water treatment device by processing said information, retrieving settings data connected to said identification data, and adjusting said water recirculating device according to said settings data.

TECHNICAL FIELD

In the following, methods, apparatuses and systems for handling and managing water recirculating devices are presented. More specifically, it is presented a method for adjusting settings data in a water recirculating device, a water recirculating device and a data processing hub for handling settings data.

BACKGROUND

Today water recycling showers are gaining increased attention and popularity among professional users as well as private households. The demand is driven by a number of factors. In some parts of the world, the demand is driven by that water is a scarce resource, and therefore as a result that water is needed to be recirculated in order to be able to offer the possibility to shower for more than a few minutes. In other parts of the world, recirculating showers are popular since they are environmental friendly and offer users the possibility to shower for a longer period of time without using excessive amounts of clean water and energy. Still a reason why recirculating showers are gaining interest is that they offer improved control of the water used in the showers. By having built-in water treatment arrangements, it is namely possible to guarantee that the water coming from a shower nozzle is clean, which reduces the risk of being ill from waterborne diseases.

Even though recirculating showers and other recirculating devices today is a reality and the interest in using these showers is increasing, there are still challenges to handle. One such challenge is that the showers should be easy to use and maintain. Another challenge is to make sure that the showers are working properly and e.g. do not provide unclean water via the shower nozzle.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present inventive concept to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies in the art and disadvantages singly or in combination.

According to a first aspect it is provided a method for adjusting settings in a water recirculating device, said water recirculating device comprising an outlet configured to output treated water, a water collecting arrangement configured to collect used water, a water treatment arrangement configured to receive used water from said water collecting arrangement and output said treated water, wherein said water treatment arrangement is further configured to hold a replaceable water treatment device, an external water input device configured to input external water to said recirculating device, a circulation pump configured to provide a flow in said water recycling device, and a data processing device configured to control said water recycling device, said method comprising retrieving information associated to said replaceable water treatment device, determining identification data for said replaceable water treatment device by processing said information, retrieving settings data connected to said identification data, and adjusting said water recirculating device according to said settings data.

The identification data may comprise type of replaceable water treatment device.

The identification data may comprise identification data specific for said replaceable water treatment device.

The step of retrieving settings data connected to said identification data may comprise the sub-steps of transmitting said identification data to an external data processing device, and receiving said settings data from said external data processing device.

The method may further comprise determining estimated remaining running time until need for replacement for said replaceable water treatment device, and communicating said estimated remaining running time.

The step of retrieving information associated to said replaceable water treatment device may comprise the sub-step of determining how said replaceable water treatment device mechanically interact with said water treatment arrangement.

The step of retrieving information associated to said replaceable water treatment device may comprise the sub-step of reading data from an identification device, such as an RFID tag, comprised on or in said replaceable water treatment device.

The method may further comprising transmitting parameter data to said external data processing device.

The water recirculating device may be an appliance or an arrangement of appliances. In particular, the water recirculating device may be a water recirculating shower.

According to a second aspect it is provided a water recirculating device comprising an outlet configured to output treated water, a water collecting arrangement configured to collect used water, a water treatment arrangement configured to receive used water from said water collecting arrangement and output said treated water, wherein said water treatment arrangement is further configured to hold a replaceable water treatment device, an external water input device configured to input external water to said recirculating device, a circulation pump configured to provide a flow in said water recycling device, and a data processing device configured to control said water recycling device, wherein said data processing device is configured to retrieve information associated to said replaceable water treatment device, determine identification data for said replaceable water treatment device by processing said information, retrieve settings data connected to said identification data, and adjust said water recirculating device according to said settings data.

According to a third aspect it is provided a data processing hub for handling data from a number of water recirculating devices, configured to receive identification data related to a replaceable water treatment device, analyze said identification data by comparing with said data from said number of water recirculating devices, and transmit settings data connected to said identification data.

Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to “a/an/the [element, device, component, means, step, etc]” are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description, with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a water recirculating device,

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an example of a replaceable water treatment device,

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a system for sharing data among a number of water recirculating devices, and

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method for adjusting settings in a water recirculating device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 generally illustrates a water recirculating device 100, more particularly a shower with water recirculating functionality. The illustrated water recirculating shower is however only an example. Other examples are water recirculating washing machines and water recirculating dish washers.

Used water is collected by a collecting device 102, that may be placed in a drain in a floor. In the collecting device a sensor arrangement can be placed in order to gather sensor data such that it can be determined if the used water should be recirculated or discarded. The sensor arrangement may for example comprise an electric conductivity sensor. If it is determined to discard the used water this can be directed out of the recirculating device 100 via a discard path 104.

If the used water is determined to be recirculated this can be transferred to an external water inlet device 106, such as a valve arrangement, connected to an external water inlet path 108 such that external water can be fed into the water recirculating device 100 if additional water is needed. Following a flow path used during recirculation the used water can from there be transferred to a circulation pump 110.

Next, the used water, possibly combined with external water, is transferred to a water treatment arrangement 112. The water treatment arrangement may comprise a number of filters and/or light treating devices for treating the water such that harmful substances are removed. An advantage of having the external water inlet device 106 placed upstream the water treatment arrangement 112 is that also the external water is treated, which further decreases the risk that harmful substances reaches a user of the water recirculating device.

The water treatment arrangement 112 can comprise a replaceable water treatment device 114, e.g. a filter or a combination of filters arranged in a body that is intended to be replaced at regular intervals. Instead or in addition, the replaceable water treatment device 114 can comprise a UV lamp or other light treatment device for water treatment. Further, also on its own or in addition, the replaceable water treatment device 114 may comprise a heat treatment device for treating water. If a combination of different technologies is used for treating the used water, it may be beneficial to have also an additional replaceable water treatment device 116. In this way, components with different life time may be replaced at different intervals. Several replaceable water treatment devices may also be beneficial since one of them may serve as a back-up to the other.

Downstream the water treatment arrangement 112 a heating arrangement 118 can be placed. The heating arrangement may be part of the water treatment arrangement, but it may also be arranged as a component on its own. After being heated treated water can be supplied via a nozzle 120.

The water recirculating device 100 can be controlled by a data processing device 122. Even though illustrated as one element, this may comprise a number data processing devices distributed in the water recirculating device and/or outside the water recirculating device.

In FIG. 2 an example of the replaceable water treatment device 114 is illustrated. The water treatment device 114 can comprise a main body 200 that may hold a number of filters and/or light treatment devices and/or heat treatment devices as described above. A first opening 202 may be provided to, during water treatment procedure, receive used water collected from the collecting device and a second opening 204 to output the treated water. During a cleaning procedure water may be directed in opposite direction.

In order to be able to identify which type of replaceable water treatment device 114 that is being used an identification device 206 can be provided. The identification device may be an identification tag, such as an RFID tag. Further, the identification device may be an optical sign, e.g. a QR code. It may also comprise a combination of different technologies. The identification device may be attached to the replaceable water treatment device, but it may also be included in the replaceable water treatment device. If the identification device comprises a number of components, there may be one or several components attached and one or several components placed in the replaceable water treatment device. By having a number of components, it is possible to use a first sub-set of them in a first step of an identification process and a second sub-set as a back-up if identification cannot be made based on the first sub-set only.

Instead of using the identification device 206 or in combination with this, a mechanical interaction between the replaceable water treatment device 114 and the water recycling device 100 may be used for identifying the replaceable water treatment device. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, three protrusions 208 a, 208 b, 208 c are provided. By having receiving holes for these protrusions in the water recirculating device 100 this may be designed in such a way that the risk that inappropriate replaceable water treatment devices are used can be lowered. Further, by having sensors in the water recirculating device and/or in the replaceable water treatment device it can be detected if the replaceable water treatment device is made to be used with the water recirculating device or not. Even though protrusions are illustrated, this is only to be seen as one example out of many examples of mechanical interaction.

In order to provide for that settings data for different types of replaceable water treatment devices are available for the water recirculating device this may be connected to a central data processing and data storage arrangement. FIG. 3 illustrates by way of example a system 300 comprising a number of water recirculating devices 302 a,302 b,302 c communicatively connected to a data processing hub 304 having the function of the central data processing and data storage arrangement.

By having this set-up, the water recirculating devices 302 a,b,c can transfer identification data 306 a,b,c of the replaceable water treatment device to the data processing hub 304 and in response receive settings data 308 a,b,c associated to the identification data.

In addition to being able to provide settings data for a vast number of different types of replaceable water treatment devices, the data processing hub may analyze incoming identification data and parameter data 308 a,b,c, such as sensor data, from a number of different water recirculating devices in order to improve the settings data. For instance, if it can be found that a particular set of settings data result in improved water consumption levels and/or energy consumption level for a particular type of replaceable water treatment device, this set of settings data may be used as well for other water recirculating devices having the same type of replaceable water treatment device. In order to achieve such improvements the data processing hub 304 may also analyze the combination of the identification data 306 a,b,c, the settings data 308 a,b,c and the parameter data 310 a,b,c in order to find potentially improved settings data and then try this potentially improved settings data in a few water recycling devices, for instance a first water recirculating device 302 a, before spreading this data to all connected water recirculating devices 302 a,b,c having the same type of replaceable water treatment device.

In order to determine more precise settings data for a particular water recirculating device the specific water recirculating device may be identified and the settings data may be adapted for the specific water recirculating device. In this way the actual and predicted upcoming use of the specific device may for instance be taken into account when determining settings data.

In addition to having data sent back and forth between the water recirculating devices 302 a,b,c and the data processing hub 304, the data processing hub 304 may also communicate with external information sources 312. The data processing hub 304 may send a request for information 314, possibly combined with data to be used as input for fulfilling the request, and in return external data 316 may be sent. For instance, the geographical position of a specific water recirculating device may be sent together with a request for information regarding current weather conditions from the data processing hub 304 and in return weather conditions data is provided. The external data 316 may be used as input for determining settings data 306 a,b,c.

The settings data 306 a,b,c may be determined in order to optimize water and energy consumption levels as described above, but if energy price and water price is received as part of the external data 316, the settings data may be determined based on direct costs.

Even though showers are being used as an example of the water recirculating device throughout this disclosure this is only to be seen as an example. In relation to FIG. 3 and the system 300 illustrated therein, different types of water recirculating devices may be connected to one and the same data processing hub.

In FIG. 4, a flowchart comprising a general method 400 for adjusting settings in a water recirculating device is illustrated. In a first step 402 information associated to said replaceable water treatment device is retrieved. Next, in a second step 404, identification data for said replaceable water treatment device is determined by processing said information. In a third step 406, settings data connected to said identification data is retrieved, and in a fourth step 408 the water recirculating device is adjusted according to said settings data.

The term “settings” should in this context be given a broad interpretation. “Settings” may be machine settings, such as valve settings or threshold values used e.g. when deciding if used water should be recirculated or discarded, but it may also be data related to whether or not a notification regarding a need to change a filter or other component in the recirculating device should be sent to a user and/or service provider. The settings may not necessarily be stored in the recirculating device itself, but may be stored in an external memory accessible to the recirculating device, e.g. the settings may in full or in part be stored by using a cloud service.

The term “adjusting settings” should also be given a broad interpretation, and should be understood to cover changing any data the recirculating device is using. It may comprise e.g. changing thresholds used by different sensor arrangements, changing valve control data such that the valve arrangement is responding differently to input data, or changing overall control data such that e.g. the recirculating device is instantly stopped, which may be the case if it is detected that a non-appropriate filter is used.

The term “replaceable water treatment device” may be a filter or any other device used for treating the recirculated water. The replaceable water treatment device may be a disposable device that is disposed after being deemed to be non-working, and thereafter replaced by a new device. It may also be a device that is refurbished once being deemed to be non-working. Refurbishment in this context should include changing, repairing and/or or in any other way treating one or several parts of the device. It may also be a device that is cleaned and then put back into the water treatment device.

The replaceable water treatment device may be a filter, such as a nano-filter, a micro-filter or a combination of different filters, but it may also be a light source, such as a UV lamp, used for reducing or inactivating unwanted microorganisms in the used water. The replaceable water treatment device may also comprise a combination of different devices, e.g. a filter and a UV lamp.

In order to deem that the replaceable water treatment device is “out of scope”, different measures may be used. The device may for instance be deemed to be out of scope if the sensor arrangements discover that the water passing the device is not treated according to specification. Still an option, in case the function of the device decreases over time, is that the replaceable water treatment device has passed its due date. Further, in case the function of the device decreases as a function of running time, the number of running hours may be used as input for determining if the device is to be deemed to be out of scope. In addition, corresponding data from other replaceable water treatment devices previously used in the water recycling device, in which the replaceable water treatment device is held, may be used, as well as data from currently and previously used replaceable water treatment devices used in other water recycling devices. Even though one particular type of data may be used in isolation, a combination of different types can be used in order to provide a decision on whether the replaceable water treatment device is to be considered to be deemed non-working or not.

The concepts have mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the concepts, as defined by the appended patent claims.

-   100: recirculating device -   102: collecting device -   104: discard path -   106: circulation pump -   108: external water input device -   110: external water inlet path -   112: water treatment arrangement -   114: replaceable water treatment device -   116: additional replaceable water treatment device -   118: heating arrangement -   120: nozzle -   122: data processing device -   200: main body -   202: first opening -   204: second opening -   206: identification device -   208 a, 208 b, 208 c: protrusions -   300: system for sharing data -   302 a, 302 b, 302 c: water recirculating devices -   304: data processing hub -   306 a, 306 b, 306 c: identification data -   308 a, 308 b, 308 c: settings data -   310 a, 310 b, 310 c: parameter data -   312: external information sources -   314: request for information -   316: external data -   400: flowchart of method for adjusting settings in water     recirculating device -   402: step of retrieving information -   404: step of determining identification data -   406: step of retrieving settings data -   408: step of adjusting water recirculating device 

1. A method for adjusting settings in a water recirculating device, said water recirculating device comprising an outlet configured to output treated water, a water collecting arrangement configured to collect used water, a water treatment arrangement configured to receive used water from said water collecting arrangement and output said treated water, wherein said water treatment arrangement is further configured to hold a replaceable water treatment device, an external water input device configured to input external water to said recirculating device, a circulation pump configured to provide a flow in said water recycling device, and a data processing device configured to control said water recycling device, said method comprising retrieving information associated to said replaceable water treatment device, determining identification data for said replaceable water treatment device by processing said information, retrieving settings data connected to said identification data, and adjusting said water recirculating device according to said settings data.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said identification data comprises type of replaceable water treatment device.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said identification data comprises identification data specific for said replaceable water treatment device.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of retrieving settings data connected to said identification data comprises the sub-steps of transmitting said identification data to an external data processing device, and receiving said settings data from said external data processing device.
 5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising determining estimated remaining running time until need for replacement for said replaceable water treatment device, and communicating said estimated remaining running time.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of retrieving information associated to said replaceable water treatment device, comprises the sub-step of determining how said replaceable water treatment device mechanically interact with said water treatment arrangement.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of retrieving information associated to said replaceable water treatment device, comprises the sub-step of reading data from an identification device, such as an RFID tag, comprised on or in said replaceable water treatment device.
 8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising transmitting parameter data to said external data processing device.
 9. A water recirculating device comprising an outlet configured to output treated water, a water collecting arrangement configured to collect used water, a water treatment arrangement configured to receive used water from said water collecting arrangement and output said treated water, wherein said water treatment arrangement is further configured to hold a replaceable water treatment device, an external water input device configured to input external water to said recirculating device, a circulation pump configured to provide a flow in said water recycling device, and a data processing device configured to control said water recycling device, wherein said data processing device is configured to retrieve information associated to said replaceable water treatment device, determine identification data for said replaceable water treatment device by processing said information, retrieve settings data connected to said identification data, and adjust said water recirculating device according to said settings data.
 10. A data processing hub for handling data from a number of water recirculating devices, configured to receive identification data related to a replaceable water treatment device, analyze said identification data by comparing with said data from said number of water recirculating devices, and transmit settings data connected to said identification data. 